Book Description

The Legislative Auditor General was asked to evaluate the accuracy of the state's projected demand and supply of water and to investigate options for extending Utah's currently developed water supply. This audit finds that the Division of Water Resources does not have a reliable source of local water use data on which to base its projections. For this reason, auditors question the reliability of the division's 2000 water use study, which was used as a baseline for projecting Utah's future water needs. According to this study, each Utah resident will use, on average, 220 gallons per day through the year 2060. Evidence suggests this number is overstated and that per capita consumption levels will likely decline below 220 gallons per day by 2060. Better data on current water consumption from regional and local water agencies is needed. The estimated cost of two large-scale water projects, the Lake Powell Pipeline and the Bear River Project, alone is $2.5 billion. The huge expense of the proposed projects highlights the need for a reliable forecast of water demand and supply. Policy makers can further reduce water demand by requiring metering on all service connections and by promoting pricing structures that encourage conservation. Finally, auditors found the division's estimates of future water supply are understated. This is because more water will become available by converting agriculture water for municipal and industrial use than is projected.